Impact’s early moves show promise heading into expansion season

Fans of the Montreal Impact who saw their team labor through a troubling 2011 NASL campaign and at one point staged a protest against team management probably couldn't forsee the events of this past week coming.

By opting to build its nucleus around established MLS veterans and a few young players who could thrive with an opportunity in a new situation as opposed to building around pricey newcomers who aren't as familiar with the inner workings of the league, Montreal has laid the groundwork to be far more than a doormat in its expansion season in MLS.

Granted, it is still very early in the process, and a number of personnel moves have yet to be made, but a look at the current roster shows the makings of a team that can compete immediately in a wide open Eastern Conference.

When the lists for the Re-Entry Draft are released on Wednesday, they'll provide even more options for the Impact to add league-tested talent to a roster already full of it.

Depth at forward and defense are obvious areas of need that the club figures to address in the Re-Entry Draft, SuperDraft and through international signings.

The Ching situation is also one worth watching, as a potential trade back to Houston looms down the line after the Dynamo's gamble of leaving their captain and forward unprotected for the expansion draft backfired. Montreal coach Jesse Marsch spoke of maximizing the expansion draft from a value standpoint, and Montreal stands to do just that by forcing Houston's hand.

The way things currently stand, though, with a stud young defender in Valentin and other nice building blocks at fullback in Wahl and Gardner; experienced centerbacks in Burling and former Inter Milan man Rivas; a seasoned piece in central midfield with Arnaud; capable and proven wingers in Mapp and Nyassi; and a potential forward star in Braun, who at this time last year was being touted as a U.S. national team candidate, Marsch and his staff have a strong foundation to work with in trying to mimic the first-year efforts of recent expansion clubs Seattle and Portland as opposed to the last-place exploits of Vancouver.

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What do you think of the Impact's roster so far and their early moves? Do you see Montreal being able to contend in its first season?

36 Responses to Impact’s early moves show promise heading into expansion season

Yup, I think they’re off to a very, very good start. Given that they haven’t filled anything out using the international market, they look quite solid already. The starting 11 as their disposal currently might be weak at CB, but they could certainly step on the field and compete. Given how early it is in the process, that’s quite a statement.

I think there’s some nice pieces in that team. I’m still not sold on their depth in center defense, but I do like their fullbacks.

In midfield, I think they have nice mix of creative, holding and outside players. I think they’ve done a nice job there.

Obviously, at forward, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Braun is a promising young player, but we all know the Ching situation is completely in the air.

But early on, with a full offseason and the SuperDraft still looming, the Impact looks to have a decent team in the works and could actually be competitive at the outset, and avoid the early issues that other expansion sides like TFC, the Whitecaps, Chivas USA and RSL (people forget how lousy they were early in their existence).

Here: link to impactmontreal.com But this is from October and I haven’t seen any official announcements since then about how many season tickets they have sold. My bet is that now with a more fleshed out squad they will start getting a flurry of season ticket signups.

Though I feel you’re probably being sarcastic, don’t be too quick to rule out Anelka (or even Drogba) for that matter. Never underestimate the pull of francophone Montreal to French-speaking players. Those two would be treated like demigods in this city. Chance to play at re-vamped, soccer-specific Saputo Stadium (it’s already one of the nicest parks in N. America) is another great draw.

Unlike in many MLS cities, soccer is already the #2 sport in MTL thanks to a heavy foreign influence (large Arab population especially.) Impact have to imagine the immense possibilities of bringing a francophone foreign star to MTL. I would not at all be surprised to see Anelka playing for the Impact next season.

Branching off of this question, does anyone know if the Canadian teams in the MLS have to deal with the extra taxes that forced some NHL teams out in the 90s? Or is there something the MLS is doing to even the playing field?

Honestly, while I was being sarcastic about getting each of them, I have no doubt Montreal will sign two of them. And from what I have read, Anelka and Materazzi seem to be the front runners. I’m almost positive Materazzi is currently in Montreal right now. If I were in charge, I would try to sign Drogba too. Like you said, that city would be great for him and Anelka. I know the agent mentioned LA specifically, but LA isn’t going to be able to sign him because Becks is going to stay (IMO). I also think, despite what they said, that Drogba would take a deal in MLS that may not be as lucrative as in Russia or the middle east. It would just depend on the city. And I think Montreal can easily be one of those cities.

Although I wish Anelka and especially Drogba to land in Montreal, they apparently already refused. Anelka refused an offer and Drogba seems to be aiming towards L.A. (L.A. and N.Y. seem to be the two favorite targets for most international superstars – which makes it harder for other teams to compete for major DPs).

FYI there is a heavy foreign influence in MTL, but Arabs are far from being the biggest community. French (France), Italians and Haitians much bigger communities.

Well those two cities are the only two Canadian cities with NASL teams. Edmonton has their’s already and Ottawa will join in 2013 and 2014. I doubt the Don will look to any Canadian city though, unless one becomes an overwhelming candidate.

It wasn’t so much taxes as it was the value of the Canadian dollar. The dollar was low, and NHL salaries are all paid in American dollars. With the valure of the dollars basically at par, that issues is no longer there.

I wouldn’t even bother assessing Montreal’s team at this point and possible success.

At this point last year everyone was talking about the great team Vancouver was putting together, how Jay Demerit would anchor the central defense…. then once Hassli scored against Toronto people were thinking how they were gonna make the playoffs with an amazing set of forwards in Hassli, Camillo and Chiumiento.

Then they finished dead last in the league. Guys, the Seattle experience is not the norm among expansion teams. Even Portland, which people see as having a good season, didn’t make the playoffs.

I don’t disagree with you, but I think that Vancouver and Portland got crushed last year by the fact that two teams joined in the same year. Portland was a top 8 playoff team if they are the only team to join last year.

You HAVE to access Montreal at this point….March 10th is a long ways away….What else am I going to do…work ?

Ottawa is getting a NASL team, and rebuilding a football/soccer stadium with the hope of eventually having a MLS team. I think if Montreal is successful (which it will be), Ottawa is definitely an option once the league is over 20 team, so after places like NYC, southeast (Atl/Mia), midwest (Minny/Det/StL).

Unlike Portland and Vancouver, I think Montreal has done a good job at creating a defense. Given that they’re not likely to get Ching, they’ll be struggling up front. There’s some talent in the midfield, but most of it is unproven and too young or In Arnaud’s case, maybe past his prime. They’re going to need a marquee player in midfield to direct things and a couple of more strikers to join with Braun. That said, they’re off to a good start.

Go get Kareem Benzema!! no serious talk…Go to South America and Scout some great young playmakers from overthere..look at the success Juninho had with LA Galaxy…Seattle did the same, with Fernandez, Rosales, Montero etc etc, RSL with Morales…get players in their prime and elevate the game in MLS all together, don’t bring big name wash out players and pay them Millions and Millions of Dollars…I’d rather go and find me two Juninhos in their prime and sign them as DPS then a Drogba past his prime about to hang his boots.

Serioulsy though, if the could swing a big french DP, they should go for Claude Makélélé. He’s a legend in French football and is still playing at a very high level (PSG in Ligue 1) I get that he’s 38 but he could totally be the keystone for building a strong defense from his favored DM position.

There’s also Lilian Thuran the most-capped frenchman ever (plays CB, which is a position they are light on now) , but I don’t think an MLS team would splash for a defender, and they would have to splash big to get him.